Split ring versus M\"obius strip: topology and curvature effects

Abstract

The influence of the topology and curvature of objects on photonic properties represents an intriguing fundamental problem from cosmology to nanostructure physics. The classical topological transition from a ring to a M\"obius strip is accompanied by a loss of part of the wavelength, compensated by the Berry phase. In contrast, a strip with the same curvature but without a 180{\deg} rotation has a zero Berry phase. Here we demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that the topological transition from a ring to a flat split ring accumulated both such effects. By cutting a flat dielectric ring of rectangular cross-section, we observe the lifting of the degeneracy of the CW-CCW modes of the ring and the formation of two families: topological modes that acquire an additional phase in the range from 0 to {\pi} depending on the gap width, and ordinary modes that do not acquire an additional phase. An order parameter is introduced that accurately describes the magnitude of the spectral splitting of ordinary and topological modes. We established that an arbitrary non-integer number of waves can fit along the length of a dielectric split ring resonator, creating a new avenue in classical and quantum photonic applications.